ssessed, seeks, with earnestness, but without murmuring
or impatience, that greater _command of the powers of nature_, which can
only be obtained by a more extensive and more accurate _knowledge_ of
them; and which alone can enable us to avail ourselves of the numerous
advantages with which we are surrounded, and contribute to make our
common situation more secure and happy.

Besides, the man who believes that there is a _governor_ as well as a
_maker_ of the world (and there is certainly equal reason to believe
both) will acknowledge his providence and favour at least as much in a
successful pursuit of _knowledge_, as of _wealth_; which is a sentiment
that entirely cuts off all boasting with respect to ourselves, and all
envy and jealousy with respect to others; and disposes us mutually to
rejoice in every new light that we receive, through whose hands soever
it be conveyed to us.

I shall pass for an enthusiast with some, but I am perfectly easy under
the imputation, because I am happy in those views which subject me to
it; but considering the amazing improvements in natural knowledge which
have been made within the last century, and the many ages, abounding
with men who had no other object but study, in which, however, nothing
of this kind was done, there appears to me to be a very particular
providence in the concurrence of those circumstances which have produced
so great a change; and I cannot help flattering myself that this will be
instrumental in bringing about other changes in the state of the world,
of much more consequence to the improvement and happiness of it.

This rapid progress of knowledge, which, like the progress of a _wave_
of the sea, of _sound_, or of _light_ from the sun, extends itself not
this way or that way only, but _in all directions_, will, I doubt not,
be the means, under God, of extirpating _all_ error and prejudice, and
of putting an end to all undue and usurped authority in the business of
_religion_, as well as of _science_; and all the efforts of the
interested friends of corrupt establishments of all kinds will be
ineffectual for their support in this enlightened age: though, by
retarding their downfal, they may make the final ruin of them more
complete and glorious. It was ill policy in Leo the Xth to patronize
polite literature. He was cherishing an enemy in disguise. And the
English hierarchy (if there be any thing unsound in its constitution)
has equal reason to tremble even at